The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has opposed the bail utility filed by Jimi Lawal, an aide and the second defendant within the alleged monetary misconduct case involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The Federal High Court in Kaduna on Wednesday adjourned the listening to of Lawal’s bail utility till October 16, 2026, whereas fixing December 8 for the graduation of the substantive trial.
One of the prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Mukhtar, disclosed this to journalists after proceedings earlier than Justice Hauwa’u Buhari.
Mukhtar stated the prosecution had filed a counter-affidavit opposing the bail utility however was but to formally current its arguments earlier than the courtroom.
He declined to reveal the grounds for opposing the appliance, explaining that the prosecution was but to formally argue its place earlier than the courtroom.
Mukhtar stated the fees towards the defendants concerned about seven counts bordering on alleged monetary misconduct.
He, nevertheless, famous that the substantive trial had but to start and that no witnesses had been introduced earlier than the courtroom.
Counsel to Lawal, Obong Okon, had urged the courtroom to grant his shopper bail on medical grounds, arguing that his well being situation warranted his launch.
Okon additionally argued that the prosecution mustn’t oppose the appliance after granting Lawal administrative bail.
He maintained that the medical proof introduced earlier than the courtroom was adequate to justify the appliance, including that solely a dwelling particular person might stand trial.
Meanwhile, counsel to El-Rufai, Mustapha Abubakar, SAN, stated a brand new prosecution counsel had introduced his look and requested time to familiarise himself with the case.
Abubakar stated the defence staff representing El-Rufai was additionally showing newly within the matter and supported the request for an adjournment to allow it to take over the case from the previous counsel.
He stated the substantive case was consequently adjourned till December 8.
On Lawal’s bail utility, Abubakar stated the related courtroom processes, together with the movement, the prosecution’s counter-affidavit and the additional affidavit filed in response, had been earlier than the courtroom.
According to him, the prosecution requested extra time to review the additional affidavit, which was served on it on Wednesday.
He stated Lawal’s counsel agreed to the adjournment within the curiosity of a good listening to, though the bail utility had already been moved.
Daily Trust noticed that El-Rufai and Lawal had been delivered to courtroom underneath heavy safety, whereas safety was additionally tightened across the courtroom premises.
It could be recalled that El-Rufai appeared earlier than the Kaduna State High Court on Tuesday in a separate case filed by the ICPC.
The case, which additionally borders on alleged misappropriation of funds throughout his administration between 2015 and 2023, was adjourned till November 30 and December 1.
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